Setting means for indicating apparatus

ABSTRACT

Setting means for digital indicating apparatus, for example a digital clock having a plurality of coaxial indicating display wheels and a like plurality of coaxial reference display wheels, comprises a rachet wheel fixed on each of said display wheels and a single reciprocable setting member located between each of the indicating display wheels and the corresponding reference display wheel. A pawl pivotally mounted on the setting member is movable between a first position in which it is engageable with the rachet wheel of the respective indicating display wheel and a second position in which it is engageable with the rachet wheel of the corresponding reference display wheel. The pawl is shifted from one position to the other by manually operable changeover means so that the same setting member is operable to rotate either the indicating display wheel or the corresponding reference display wheel to the desired setting.

United States Patent 1 Kitai 1 SETTING MEANS FOR INDICATING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Kiyoshi Kitai, Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Seiko Koki Kabushiki Kaisha,

Tokyo, Japan 22 Filed: Mai-(28,1973

[21] Appl.No.:345,7 36

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 28, 1972 Japan 47/31076 52 us. Cl ss/12s c [51] Int. Cl G04b [58] Field of Search 58/125 C, 34, 128; 235/144 PN [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 905,956 12/1908 Thrasher 58/125 C 653,711 7/1900 Thrasher.. 58/125 C 394,845 12/1888 Ethrdige 58/128 [451 Dec. 25, 1973 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Pat Salce Att0rneyRobert E. Burns et a1.

[5 7 ABSTRACT Setting means for digital indicating apparatus, for example a digital clock having a plurality of coaxial indicating display wheels and. a like plurality of coaxial reference display wheels, comprises a rachet wheel fixed on each of said display wheels and a single reciprocable setting member located between each of the indicating display wheels and the corresponding reference display wheel. A pawl pivotally mounted on the setting member is movable between'a first position in which it is engageable with the rachet wheel of the respective indicating display wheel and a second position in which it is engageable with the rachet wheel of the corresponding reference display wheel. The pawl is shifted from one position to the other by manually operable changeover means so that the same setting member is operable to rotate either the indicating display wheel or the corresponding reference display wheel to the desired setting.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED DEC 2 5 I915 SHEET 10$ 2 FIG.

1 SETTING MEANS FOR INDICATING APPARATUS FIELD OF INVENTION BACKGROUND OF INVENTION In. digital indicating apparatus having a plurality of display wheels, it is desirable to provide means for rotating the wheels to set the indicator at a selected value. In indicating apparatus having two sets of display wheels, for example a digital timer having time display wheels and reference display wheels, it has heretofore been necessary to provide separate setting means for the time display wheels and for the reference display wheels. For example, the time display wheels are set by turning one knob while the reference display wheels are set by turning another knob. The need of providing separate setting means for the time display wheels and for the reference display wheels has made it difficult to minimize the size and lower the costs of such apparatus. Moreover, the turning of a knob by manual operation is in'itself inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide improved setting means in which the setting is performed by a push button system which is convenient in operation and, moreover, a single setting means is operable selectively to set either an indicating display wheel or the corresponding reference display wheel. In

accordance with the invention, the setting mechanism includes changeover means so that the same setting means is operable selectively to set either of two display wheels. In one form of apparatus in accordance with the invention, a single manually operable push button operates both the changeover means and the setting means, thereby making the apparatus still simpler and more compact. v

The invention is herein described by way of example with reference to a digital timer having one set of display wheels driven by a suitable time movement so as to indicate the time of day or an elapsed time, and a second set of display wheels for indicating a reference time, for example the time at which the timer is to perform a pre-determinedfunction, for example to give a signal or open or close a-circuit. However, it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other digital indicating apparatus, for example counters, totalizers, metersor other instruments having two sets of display wheels where it is desired to be able selectively to set both sets of wheels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital timer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional-view showing somewhat schematically a portion of .the timer including setting and changeover means;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perpsective view showing one of the setting and changeover units;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a different construction of the setting and changeover unit;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view taken approximately on the line V-V in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

In FIG. 1 there is shown by way of example a digital timer having a front plate or cover I provided with a time display window 2 and a reference display window 3 which is parallel to and below the time display window. Time display wheels arranged in the window 2 of the front plate 1 comprise an hour display wheel 4a, a 10 minute display wheel 4b and a minute display wheel 40. The time display wheels are disposed at suitable intervals on a shaft 8 (FIG. 2) and are driven by suitable electric or other time movement or clockwork so as to indicate the time of day or an elapsed time from a selected starting point. In known manner the driving mechanism is provided with suitable friction clutch or release means to permit the time display wheels to be rotated manually in order to set them to a desired time setting. As suitable driving mechanism is well known, it is not shown in the drawings.

Reference display wheels "viewable through the lower window 3 of the front plate I comprise an hour display wheel 5a, a 10 minute display wheel 5b and a minute display wheel 5c. The three reference display wheels 5a, 5b and 5c are disposed approximately below the corresponding time display wheels 4a, 4b and 40 respectively. The reference display wheels are suitably positioned on a shaft 9 on which they are rotatable. The shaft 9 of the reference display wheels is disposed below and parallel to the shaft 8 of the time display wheels. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the reference display wheels are not rotated by clockwork, but are selectively rotatable manually in order to set a reference time, for example a time at which the timer is to provide a signal or perform another function. 'Digital timers of this kind are disclosed, for example, in Kitai et al. applications Ser. Nos. 307,865 and 307,866 filed Nov. 20, I972.

In accordacne with the present invention, the digital timer is provided with a setting device 6a for selectively setting either the time display hour wheel 4a or the reference display hour wheel 50 and a changeover device 7a which is operable to select which of the two display wheels 4a, 5a is to be set by operation of the setting device 6a. Thus, with the changeover device 7a in one position, the setting device 6a is operable to set the time display hour wheel 4a to desired position. When the changeover device 7a is in another position, the setting device 6a is operable selectively to set the reference display hour wheel 5a to the desired position. In like manner a setting device 6b and changeover device 7b are provided for selectively setting either the time display l0 minute wheel 4b or the reference display ten minute wheel 5b and asetting device 60 and a changeover device are provided for selectively setting thetime display minute wheel 4c and reference display minute wheel 50. As all of the setting and changeover devices are basically alike, a single setting device and associated changeover device are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the time display wheels is provided with a rachet wheel 10 which is coaxial with and rotationally fixed with respect to the respected display wheel so that rotation of the ratchet wheel 10 results in rotation of the associated display wheel. The rachet wheel can, if desired, be made integral with the display wheel. In similar manner, each of the reference display wheelsis provided with a rachet wheel 11 which is coaxial with and rotationally fixed with respect to the respective display wheel so that the display wheel is rotatable by rotating the rachet wheel. Each of the rachet wheels is provided with the same number of teeth as there are'numbers on the associated display wheel. Thus, the rachet wheels for display wheels 4a and 5a are each provided with 12 teeth. The rachet wheels (not shown) for display wheels 4a, 40, 5b and 5c are each provided with teeth. Each of the teeth has an abrupt face and a sloping face. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the teeth of the rachet wheel 10 face in the opposite direction from the teeth of the rachet wheel 11 so that the rachet wheel 10 is adapted to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction while the rachet wheel 11 is adapted to be rotated in a clockwise direction.

The setting device 6a is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 as comprising an elongated bar 6 which is located midway between the time display wheel 4a and the reference display wheel Sb and extends approximately perpendicularly to a plane extending through the shafts 8 and 9 of the time display wheels and reference display wheels respectively. The bar 6 is arrnaged for longitudinal movement by extending through a slot 12 in the front plate 1 and having near its rear end an elongated longitudinally extending slot 13 which slidably receives a pin 16 carried by a bracket on a rear plate 14 which is provided with a slot 14a permitting rearward passage of the bar 6. The bar 6 is thus movable in a longitudinal direction guided by the slot 12 and the pin 16. A rachet lever or pawl 17 is pivotally mounted on the bar 6 by a pivot pin and extends forwardly from the pivot. At its forward end, the pawl 17 is provided with oppositely extending projections 18 and 19 so that the pawl is generally T-shaped. The pawl 17 is thus swingable about the pivot 20in one direction so as to bring the projection 18 into engagement with the rachet wheel 10 as illustrated in broken lines or in the opposite direction to bring the projection 19 into engagement with the rachet'wheel 11 as illustrated in solid lines.

The pawl 17 is selectively moved to one of said positions or the other by means of the changeover device 7a which is shown as comprising a bar 7 extending fixedly forwardly from a plate 21 which is slidably mounted on the rear face of the front plate 1 by means of pins extending through elongated vertical slots 23 in the plate. The pins 25 are provided with suitable heads so that the plaje 21 is capable of up and down movement relative tothe front plate 1, but is held against moving rearwardly. The plate 21 is movable vertically by means of the bar 7 which extends out through a vertical slot in the front plate. The bar 6 of the setting device 6a extends through a vertical slot 22 in the plate 21. An arm 24 extends rearwardly from the plate 21 at approximately the midpoint of one vertical side edge of the plate. The arm 24 is'connected to the pawl 17 of the setting device by a tension springs 27 one end of which is connected to a pin 28 which projects laterally from the rear end portion of the arm 24 while the other end of the spring is attached to a pin 29 which projects laterally from the pawl 17 near its forward end. When the plate 21 is in its lower position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spring 27 pulls forwardly and downwardly on the pawl 17 so as to shift it to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 in which the pawl is in engagement with the rachet wheel 11. If the bar 6 is now pushed rearwardly by means of a knob or push button 30 provided on its forward end, the pawl acts on the rachet wheel 11 to turn it one step in a clockwise direction. When the push button 30 is released, the spring 27 acts as a return spring to move the bar 6 back to its forward position. When the plate 21 is moved to its upper position by means of a knob or push button 31 on the forward end of the forwardly projecting bar 7, the spring 27 pulls forwardly and upwardly on the pawl 17 so as to move the pawl into engagement with the rachet wheel 10, as illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 2. If the bar 6 is now pushed rearwardly by means of the push button 30, the pawl acts on the rachet wheel 10 to turn it one step in a counterclockwise direction. It will be understood that the bar 6 can be pushed as many times as desired to step the rachet wheel and associated display wheel around to the desired position and thereby set it to the desired value. Reverse movement of the rachet wheels and hence of the associated display wheels is prevented by spring arms 32 and 33 which are mounted on the back plate 14 and engage respectively the rachet wheels 10 and 11.

The operation of the mechanism will be readily understood from the foregoing description. When it is desired to set the time display hour wheel 4a, the changeover device 1a is set by moving the push button 31 to its uppermost position. The push button 30 is then pushed and released the required number of times to step the display wheel 4a to the desired position, the wheel being moved one space in each step. If it is desired to set the reference display hour wheel 5a, the changeover device 7a is set by moving the push button 31 down to its lowermost position. The same push button 30 is then pushed the required number of times and alternately released to step the display wheel 5a to the position desired. In like manner the setting device 6b under control of the changeover device 7b is operable selectively to set either the time display 10 minute wheel 4b or the reference display 10 minute wheel 5b and the setting device 6b under control of the changeover device 7b is operable selectively to set either the time display minute wheel 40 or the reference display minute wheel 50 as desired. A push-pull button 34 is provided for activating or deactivating the signal or function producing means (not shown) of the timer as disclosed, for example in Kitai et al. application Ser. No. 307,866 filed Nov. 20, 1972.

In another embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the setting device and changeover device are operable by means of a single operating push button or knob. The setting device comprises an elongated flat bar 6 which extends through a slot 12 in the front plate 1 and has a reduced rear end portion extending through a slot in the back plate 14 so that the bar is guided for fore and aft movement. The bar 6 is urged forwardly by a compression spring 35 acting between the back plate 14 and a shoulder on the bar. Forward movement is limited by engagement of a vertically enlarged portion 38 of the bar with the front panel 1. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the push button of knob 30 is omitted from the fronj end of the bar 6. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, a pawl 17 mounted on the bar 6 by a pivot pin 20 is provided with a projection 18 for engagement with the teeth of the rachet wheel and an opposite projection 19 for engagement with the teeth of the rachet wheel 11. The pawl is thus swingable about the pivot 20 between a first position in engagement with the rachet wheel 10 and a second position in engagement with the rachet wheel 11. A tension spring 27 stretched between a pin 28 projecting laterally from the bar 6 rearwardly of the pivot pin 20 and a pin 29 projecting laterally from the pawl near its forward end resiliently retains the pawl in whichever of its two positions to which it has been moved.

As in embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the changeover device 7a is operable to shift the pawl 17 from one position to the other. The changeover device is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as comprising a fairly wide, flat bar 7 extending through-a slot 26 in the front panel 1 which is elongated vertically to permit up and down movement of the bar 7. Rearwardly of the front panel 1, the bar 7 is provided with a vertically enlarged portion 39 in which there is formed a slot 36 receiving two pins 37 projecting laterally from the vertically enlarged portion 38 of the setting bar 6. The changeover bar 7 is thereby slidably connected to the bar 6 for movement up and down in a vertical direction relative to the bar 6. At its rear end the bar 7 is provided a fork 40 which straddles the laterally projecting pin 29 on the forward portion of the pawl 17. Hence, by moving the bar 7 up or down, the pawl 17 through engagement of fork 40 wijh the pin 29.can be moved upwardly or downwardly so as selectively to engage either the rachet wheel 10 or the rachet wheel .11. The bar 7 is movable vertically by means of a push buttonor knob 31 which is provided at its forward end and is of sufficient extent in a vertical direction so as to be engageable with the forward end of the bar 6 regardless of whether the bar 7 is in its upper or lower position. Thus, the knob 31 can be moved up .or down to move the bar 7 up or down and thereby shift the pawl 17 from one position to the other and can also be pushed rearwardly toward the front panel-1 so as to push the bar 6 rearwardly and thereby turn the rachet wheel with which the pawl 17 is selectively engaged. As in the previous embodiment, spring arms 32 and 33 are provided for preventing retrogressive movement of the rachet wheels.

In the operation of the setting and changeover mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the push button or knob 31 serves to operate both the changeover device and the setting device. If it is desired to set the display wheel 4a, the knob 31 is moved to its upper position as shown in FIG. 4 so as to swing the pawl 17 into a position to engage the rachet wheel 10. The knob 31 is then pushed rearwardly, thereby pushing the bar 6 rearwardly against the action of the spring 35 and carrying the pawl 17 with it so as to turn the rachet wheel 10 one step in a counterclockwise direction. With the knob 31 in its upper position, the knob is pushed and alternately released the desired number of times to step the display wheel around to the desired position. When it is desired to set the display wheel 5a, the knob 31 is moved downwardly to its lower position, thereby shifting the pawl 17 to a position to engage the rachet wheel 11. Movement of the knob 31 rearwardly moves the bar 6 rearwardly against the action of the spring 35 and carries the pawl 17 with it so as to turn the rachet wheel 1 1 one step in a clockwise direction. With the knob 31 in its lower position it is pushed rearwardly and alternately released the required number of times to step the display wheel 5 around to the desired position. Thus a single setting means with an associated changeover means is operative selectively to set either the time display wheel 4a or the reference display wheel 5a as desired. It will be understood that like setting and changeover devices are provided for the ten minute display wheels and the minute display wheels.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the drawings and are herein particularly described, it will be understood that the invention is in no way limited to these embodiments. For example, display wheels of different types may be used and a friction wheel may be used in place of the rachet wheel shown in the drawings. As the invention makes it possible to set two display wheels by means of a single setting device, the digital timer or other indicating device can be made of smaller size and at lower cost. Moreover, the setting is conveniently effected by a push button operation, thereby eliminating the need of knobs which must be rotated manually to effect a setting operation. The indicating apparatus in accordance with the present invention thus has the advantage of compact size, low cost and convenient operation.

What I claim and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. In indicating apparatus having an indicating display wheel and a corresponding reference display wheel, setting mechanism comprising a first setting wheel rotatable with said indicating display wheel, a

second setting wheel rotatable with said reference display wheel, reciprocable setting means engageable selectively with either of said setting wheels to rotate said setting wheel and thereby rotate the respective display wheel, and changeover means for shifting said setting means selectively to a first condition to engage said first setting wheel and to a second condition to engage said second setting wheel, whereby either of said display wheels can selectively be set by like movement of said setting means.

2. Indicating apparatus according to claim 1, in which a plurality of said indicating display wheels are rotatable about a common first axis and a plurality of said reference display wheels are rotatable about a common second axis parallel to said first axis, and in which a said setting means and changeover means are operably associated with each of said indicating display wheels and a corresponding reference wheel.

3. Indicating apparatus according to claim 1, in which each of said setting wheels is a rachet wheel coaxial with and rotationally fixed relative to the respective one of said display wheels.

4. Indicating apparatus according to claim 3, in which said setting means comprises a reciprocable member disposed between the setting wheel of said indicating display wheel and the setting wheel of said reference display wheel and pawl means shiftably carried by said reciprocable member, and in which said changeover means comprises means for selectively shifting said pawl means to a first condition for engagement with said setting wheel of said indicating display wheel and to a second condition for engagement with said setting wheel of said reference display wheel.

5. Indicating apparatus according to claim 4, in

which said pawl means comprises a pawl member pivotally mounted on said reciprocable member and having two opposite rachet engaging portions, one for engaging the setting wheel of said indicating display and the other for engaging the setting wheel of said reference display wheel.

6. Indicating apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising spring means for resiliently retaining said pawl in the condition to which it is shifted by said changeover means.

7. Indicating apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a single manually operable handle means for operatinb both said setting means and said changeover means. I

8. A digital clock comprising a plurality of coaxial individually rotatable time display wheels for indicating time, a corresponding plurality of individually rotatable reference display wheels arranged coaxially with one another on an axis parallel with the axis of said time dis play wheels, each of said reference display wheels corresponding to one of said time display wheels, a first setting wheel coaxial with and fixed rotationally relative to each of said time display wheels, a second setting wheel coaxial with and fixed rotationally relative to each of said reference display wheels, a reciprocable setting means disposed intermediate the axes of said time display wheels and said reference display wheels and selectively engageable with said first setting wheel of each of said time display wheels and said second setting wheel of the corresponding reference display wheel, and changeover means associated with each of said setting means and cooperating with the associated setting means to shift said setting means selectively to a first condition to engage said first setting wheel to rotate the respective time display wheel to selected position and to a second condition to engage said second setting wheel to rotate the respective reference display wheel to selected position, whereby either of said corresponding time display wheel and reference display wheel can be set by like movement of a single said setting means. 7 v

9. A digital clock according to claim 8, in which each of said setting wheels is a rachet wheel and in which said setting means comprises a reciprocable member and a pawl mounted on said member for movement selectively to a first position for engagement of said first setting wheel and to a second position for engagement of said second setting wheel.

10. A digital clock according to claim 9, in which said changeover means comprises means for moving said pawl selectively to said first position or to said second position.

11. A digital clock according to claim 10, comprising spring means for resiliently retaining said pawl in the position to which it is moved by said changeover means.

12. A digital clock according to claim 8, comprising a single manually operable handle means for operating both said changeover means and said setting'means. 

1. In indicating apparatus having an indicating display wheel and a corresponding reference display wheel, setting mechanism comprising a first setting wheel rotatable with said indicating display wheel, a second setting wheel rotatable with said reference display wheel, reciprocable setting means engageable selectively with either of said setting wheels to rotate said setting wheel and thereby rotate the respective display wheel, and changeover means for shifting said setting means selectively to a first condition to engage said first setting wheel and to a second condition to engage said second setting wheel, whereby either of said display wheels can selectively be set by like movement of said setting means.
 2. Indicating apparatus according to claim 1, in which a plurality of said indicating display wheels are rotatable about a common first axis and a plurality of said reference display wheels are rotatable about a common second axis parallel to said first axis, and in which a said setting means and changeover means are operably associated with each of said indicating display wheels and a corresponding reference wheel.
 3. Indicating apparatus according to claim 1, in which each of said setting wheels is a rachet wheel coaxial with and rotationally fixed relative to the respective one of said display wheels.
 4. Indicating apparatus according to claim 3, in which said setting means comprises a reciprocable member disposed between the setting wheel of said indicating display wheel and the setting wheel of said reference display wheel and pawl means shiftably carried by said reciprocable member, and in which said changeover means comprises means for selectively shifting said pawl means to a first condition for engagement with said setting wheel of said indicating display wheel and to a second condition for engagement with said setting wheel of said reference display wheel.
 5. Indicating apparatus according to claim 4, in which said pawl means comprises a pawl member pivotally mounted on said reciprocable member and having two opposite rachet engaging portions, one for engaging the setting wheel of said indicating display and the other for engaging the setting wheel of said reference display wheel.
 6. Indicating apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising spring means for resiliently retaining said pawl in the condition to which it is shifted by said changeover means.
 7. Indicating apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a single manually operable handle means for operatinb both said setting means and said changeover means.
 8. A digital clock comprising a plurality of coaxial individually rotatable time display wheels for indicating time, a corresponding plurality of individually rotatable reference display wheels arranged coaxially with one another on an axis parallel with the axis of said time display wheels, each of said reference display wheels corresponding to one of said time display wheels, a first setting wheel coaxial with and fixed rotationally relative to each of said time display wheels, a second setting wheel coaxial with and fixed rotationally relative to each of said reference display wheels, a reciprocable setting means disposed intermediate the axes of said time display wheels and said reference display wheels and selectively engageable with said first setting wheel of each of said time display wheels and said second setting wheel of the corresponding reFerence display wheel, and changeover means associated with each of said setting means and cooperating with the associated setting means to shift said setting means selectively to a first condition to engage said first setting wheel to rotate the respective time display wheel to selected position and to a second condition to engage said second setting wheel to rotate the respective reference display wheel to selected position, whereby either of said corresponding time display wheel and reference display wheel can be set by like movement of a single said setting means.
 9. A digital clock according to claim 8, in which each of said setting wheels is a rachet wheel and in which said setting means comprises a reciprocable member and a pawl mounted on said member for movement selectively to a first position for engagement of said first setting wheel and to a second position for engagement of said second setting wheel.
 10. A digital clock according to claim 9, in which said changeover means comprises means for moving said pawl selectively to said first position or to said second position.
 11. A digital clock according to claim 10, comprising spring means for resiliently retaining said pawl in the position to which it is moved by said changeover means.
 12. A digital clock according to claim 8, comprising a single manually operable handle means for operating both said changeover means and said setting means. 